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Will County Health Department offers free vaccine

Dec. 4, 2018

The Will County Health Department, in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health, is offering free hepatitis A vaccine to people at the greatest risk of becoming infected in our community.

Although there are currently no outbreaks in Illinois, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported hepatitis A outbreaks in states across the county, including neighboring states.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is usually spread from person-to-person through contaminated food or water.

According to the CDC, the major risk factors associated with the recent outbreaks include drug use (injection and non-injections), homelessness, or both.

The Will County Health Department is offering individuals at highest risk of acquiring infection (e.g., people who use injection/non-injection drugs, men who have sex with men, homeless, people who have been recently incarcerated, and people with chronic liver disease) free hepatitis A vaccinations.